My family have spent holidays at caravan parks, motel, serviced apartments, hotels (including 5 –stars hotel once) and resorts. Our first choice has always been resort-style accommodation; I have to bribe the kids to stay at other type of accommodation if there aren’t any family resorts available in the destination we are visiting. I have asked them to considered ‘hotel critics’ as their career path!
The best features of family resorts in Australia are really the facilities that will keep the kids entertained for days. There are usually swimming pool, tennis court, gymnasiums, spa, abd playground for toddlers, mini-golf, kids' game room; some even has walking track surround it. The environment is usually relaxing, quiet and tranquil. My personal experience is that I feel refresh after staying at a family resort for a few days.
With my children, I found them to be in a more ‘reflective’ mood during our stays at resorts. We usually went for a drive in the bush or visit national park if there is one nearby. On a few occasions, I found Matt (11 year old as I wrote this) having quiet moments under the tree, all to himself, just ‘being in the moment’, I was pretty sure that he was getting in touch with his soul. I could even sense the calmness that radiated from him. I think the environment is inducive to the spiritual side of everyone, including young children. My 7 year old girl has said to me on numerous occasions that she likes having me ‘playing’ with her whole day and talked ‘like this’. We called it 'quality bonding time'.
The other great thing about staying at family resorts is the kitchen. I prefer to prepare my own meals while holidaying. Even the kids get sick of having fast-food or restaurant food after a while. Also, you never know if you can find great restaurants day after day and night after night at your holiday destination. I usually checked out if there is a local supermarket, better still local farmers markets where you can buy fresh local produce and prepare delicious and healthy meals. At the resort, the kids will be busy entertaining themselves, it will be very ‘relaxing’ cooking dinner without the fighting noise in the background! Preparing your own meal really helps to keep the budget down.
Laundry facilities – can’t imagine getting back home from holiday with lots of dirty laundry to do! I love the fact that after unwinding at a family resort, when I get home there is no washing to do, just unpacking. (No need to rush back to the daily chores!).
Some resorts we have stayed:
The Links, Lady Bay, South Australia (Christmas 2008)
The Pinnacle Valley Resort, Merrijig, Victoria (Easter 2009)
